BILL NUMBER: S4952
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to expanding the require-
ments for teaching humane education to secondary school students and
provides for the verification of compliance of such instruction
 
PURPOSE:
This bill expands the requirements for teaching humane treatment and
protection of animals to secondary school students.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 expands the requirement for instruction on the humane treat-
ment and protection of animals to include secondary schools, incorporat-
ing principles of kindness, respect, and legal observance. Directs the
commissioner to integrate this instruction into existing curricula and
issue necessary regulations.
Section 2 requires the commissioner to maintain and publicly share
school compliance records regarding this instruction.
Section 3 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill is needed to ensure that elementary and secondary school
students in New York State are properly instructed in the humane treat-
ment and protection of animals and the importance of the part they play
in the economy of nature as well as the necessity of controlling the
proliferation of animals which are subsequently abandoned and caused to
suffer extreme cruelty. For secondary school students, such instruction
would involve educating students about the principles of kindness to and
respect for animals and the proper observance of laws and rules pertain-
ing to their humane treatment.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S4533/A416 - Referred to Education
2021-22: S7670/A2082 - Referred to Education
2019-20: A1063A - Referred to Education
2017-18: A2137 - Referred to Education
2015-16: A318 - Referred to Education
2013-14: A782 - Referred to Education
2011-12: A1925 - Referred to Education
2009-10: A6126 - Referred to Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill shall take effect on the first of July next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.

Statutes affected:
S4952: 809 education law, 809(1) education law